COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 09, 2024

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor R. Mannion

This Council welcomes and commends the roll out of Communication Boards at playing facilities in SDCC which aim to improve accessibility and inclusive play for children with language difficulties, and calls on the Chief Executive look at the feasibility of their inclusion in other parks, pitches or play facilities where appropriate.

REPORT:

SDCC have installed 13 communication boards in playspaces across our county following the initial pilot project at Corkagh Park. The other installed communications boards are located at playspaces at Collinstown Park, Waterstown Park, Griffeen Valley Park, Hermitage Park, Willsbrook Park, Tymon North, Willington and Limekiln, Rathfarnham Castle Park, Greenhills Park, Perrystown, and Kilnamanagh.

The communications boards were installed following the provision of a specific budget line in SDCC's revenue budget, which allowed for the initial pilot project and the roll out of the 12 additional boards as outlined above. The boards are useful in the bigger, enclosed playgrounds with a large variety of equipment. Communication Boards assist inclusive play and allow non-verbal children or any child struggling to communicate to get to play the way they wish within these environments. The council is examining the roll out of communications boards at appropriate locations and are including communications boards in all new and refurbished playspaces at the construction stage going forward.